Green Ice (No Exit Press Vintage Crime)

This is early Woolrich, setting the stage for what would be become, in my opinion, some of the best 'crime' 'mystery' 'noir' writing in American 20th Century Literature.

As I read this fascinating page turner of a novel, I had to keep reminding myself that it was first published way back in 1932. The writing in Manhattan Love Song is so up to date, it could have been crafted last week. I don't want to reveal too much about the plot itself because, just as in all Cornell Woolrich fiction, suspense is a key element. No, it's more than a key element, it is ubiquitous, permeating each page. The narrative starts off as a romance. A "low rent" romance, but a romance nonetheless. It rapidly transitions to a comic romp, albeit one with decidedly sinister undertones. Then it takes the form of a bizarre murder mystery. Throughout all this, Woolrich never misses a beat. He takes the reader from one genre to the next with the greatest of ease. Both the dialogue and the descriptive prose are consistently as smart as could be. The themes addressed are standard Cornell Woolrich fare. The ecstasy and agony of love and the burden of psychic pain so intense it can only be alleviated by "the merciful release of death". Manhattan Love Song is an outstanding novel. A very enthusiastic 5 stars. Don't miss it.